UPDATE: Suspects Have Allegedly Been Identified in the Boston Marathon Bombings. More Info To Come...
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon terrorist attack I attended an event to commemoration of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's 65th Independence Day celebration that truly took on new meaning. We were greeted with an enormous presence of heavily armed state troopers at Temple Mishkan Tefila in Newton, which is right outside of Boston. Shai Bazak, the Israel’s Consul General to New England stated, “We have much more security. The large gathering, which draws state & local officials, usually has plenty of security, but additional measures were taken at tonight’s event.” Governor Deval Patrick was among the speakers attending the celebration stating that he had always come to the Independence Day celebration to remind the local Jewish community that he is a friend but after receiving messages of encouragement from Israeli leaders after the bombings, Patrick added he has a new appreciation for their friendship. Barry Shrage, President of Combined Jewish Philanthropies stated, “After considerable thought, we decided to take this time to join together as a community to reflect, pray & draw strength from one another during this difficult time. At the same time, we will honor & remember the victims of this tragedy & their friends & family, the courageous first responders & the greater community of local citizens & those visiting from afar. We will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the founding of modern Israel, honor our great friendship & remind ourselves that we, Bostonians & Israelis, are resilient. We stand side by side in times of celebration & loss.” Other speakers included, Rabbi Leonard Gordon of Mishkan Tefila, Congressman Joe Kennedy, Seth Klarman, President of Brandeis University Frederick Lawrence, Mayor Setti Warren of Newton & Jeremy Burton Executive Director of JCRC mc’d the event. I definitely left the event feeling a lot stronger than I did when I entered.
OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFFINGTON POST...:)
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